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Application Brief
Improving Power Amplifier Efficiency With
Current Monitors

Kyle R. Stone

This application brief addresses a few of the current VDD

Feedba ck
shunt monitor (CSM) implementations used with Stage
power amplifier stages in wireless infrastructure. With
each particular implementation, this note presents the
trade-offs as well as recommends a device relevant
for the approach. DAC
DAC
DAC DAC
DAC
DAC

PA Feedback
Delving past the abstraction of antennas, transmitters,
and receivers of an active antenna system (AAS)
or remote radio unit (RRU) can yield systems of
amplifiers, microprocessors, multiplexors, DACs, and
sensors. Of these elements, one of the crucial
elements impacting power consumption is the power
amplifier stage transmitting out to the users on the
network. This power amplifier stage can consist of a
Doherty amplifier with a predriver, which can further
be reduced down to some LDMOS or GaN transistors
configured into class B, AB, and C amplifiers.
Controlling the bias point of the transistors in a
PA stage improves the efficiency of the system. An
open-loop, fixed-control voltage for the bias neglects
the impact of supply variations on the drain side,
device aging, and transconductance fluctuations due
to temperature changes from heat dissipation and
ambient temperature swings. Consequently, feedback
facilitating dynamic control to adjust the PA transistors
bias points is required, as Figure 1 shows. Depending
on the designer’s constraints in board space, cost,
precision, number of antennas, and so forth, the
best method for the dynamic control can vary. Many
approaches include a current shunt monitor (CSM) to
serve as part of the feedback chain to adjust the bias
and thereby improve efficiency. This note presents
three general approaches, with each subsequent
implementation having greater control on the bias
point and related efficiency of the PA stage.
PA PA
Stage Stage
Figure 1. PA Stages with Feedback
Factory Calibration
A single factory calibration with a generated look-
table is one way to control a PA stage. During
calibration, a PA is subjected to a range of bias
voltages or temperatures, while an on or off board
CSM (as Figure 2 shows), monitors the load. From
the load measurements, a bias value or group of
bias values can be programmed into a look-up table
that a DAC uses later to control the bias. This
process is then extended to each individual PA in
the system. Consequently, the number of CSMs
depends on how much calibration time in production
can be afforded and BOM cost. After production, an
off-board or shorted sensor saves power otherwise
lost across the shunt. Additionally, if temperature
sensors are included in the feedback with the look-up
table, regions of PA stages can be adjusted relatively
quickly according to the temperature drift, and a
result, improves efficiency. As the factory calibration
emphasizes cost for a relatively high common-mode,
high-side measurement, consider devices such as the
INA290 or INA186.
SPACER
SPACER
SPACER
SPACER

SBOA369B – DECEMBER 2019 – REVISED JULY 2023 Improving Power Amplifier Efficiency With 1
Submit Document Feedback Current Monitors
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VDD INA2290 or INA4181 can be considered to save board

space. For further integration, board savings, and
added system protection, devices such as INA381
and INA310A with integrated comparators can be

+
t
Curren t DAC
DAC
DAC PAPA
PA Stages
Stages
Temp used for overcurrent conditions.
shunt Sen sor
Stages
Monitor VDD
Microco ntr oller

Figure 2. Current Sense Feedback Bus

Monitor PA
Loa d
Periodic Calibration

+
t
Curren t
Although the factory calibration approach improves Monitor REF

efficiency over a fixed-bias voltage, the approach

neglects supply variation, which can immediately OC
affect the bias and device aging, which gradually MUX Pro tection
affects the bias. To overcome these shortcomings, the DAC
DAC
system can be designed to periodically power off and Microco ntr oller
DAC

recalibrate. From periodic calibration, adjustments are

made to the look-up table as the PAs age, the Figure 3. Bus Voltage, Current, and OC Feedback
system switches between batteries and solar power,
or when the supply begins to droop. With this tighter Table 1. CSM Method Comparison
control is the option of current monitoring and voltage BOM
Integrate
Integrate Shunt
Approach Control Bus
monitoring all integrated into one package, such as in Count OC Loss
Monitor
the INA226 or INA228 devices. For more integration,
Factory
EZShunt™ technology integrates the shunt resistor Low Loose No No Never
Calibration
directly into the leadframe, which generally reduces
Periodic
the design size and procurement effort. Devices Calibration
Medium Tighter Yes No Always
such as the INA700 or INA780A are equipped with
Real-time
the EZShunt™ technology with a 2-mΩ or 400-μΩ Sensing
High Tightest Yes Yes Always
leadframe resistance respectively. Periodic calibration
requires the shunt resistor to be permanently fixed Table 2. Alternative Device Recommendations
on the board, resulting in constant losses across Device Characteristics
the shunt. To minimize the losses, a part with low
Common mode range –4 V to 110 V;
input offset such as the INA190 or INA290 can be INA310A
comparator.
used, as the lower offset permits a smaller shunt Common mode range –0.3 V to 36 V; 16-bit
for improved accuracy. Alternatively, a current sensor INA226
delta sigma ADC.
such as the TMCS1123 with an isolated hall sensor Common mode range 2.7 V to 120 V, 1.1
allows for a high common-mode with minimal losses INA290
MHz, small (SC-70) package.
across the 0.67-mΩ leadframe. Aside from the shunt
dissipation, the other concern for periodic calibration Table 3. Related TI Application Briefs
is the compromise between added programming and Literature Number Title
monitor count that is required to provide minimal Current Sensing Applications in
SBOA366
transmission interruption. Communication Infrastructure Equipment
Hybrid Battery Charger With Load Control
SLPA013
Real-Time Sensing for Telecom Equipment

While the periodic calibration does address known

issues with aging and temperature that a designer can
anticipate, the calibration does not have immediate
dynamic response for unexpected conditions.
Continuous current monitoring is sometimes required
for critical applications in which tighter control is
required. This method allows for quick adjustments to
any PA stage for any possible changes in operating
conditions. As continuous monitoring requires CSMs
for all PA stages, a multichannel device such as the

2 Improving Power Amplifier Efficiency With SBOA369B – DECEMBER 2019 – REVISED JULY 2023
Current Monitors Submit Document Feedback
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